Tag Archive for: Veterans Support

Honoring Service: Tribute, Veterans Homes Update, and 2026 Legislative Outlook

Honoring Service: Tribute, Veterans Homes Update, and 2026 Legislative Outlook
This week on Minnesota Military Radio: Honoring Service: Tribute, Veterans Homes Update, and 2026 Legislative Outlook.
We open with a tribute to Sergeant First Class Nicole Amor of White Bear Lake, Minnesota, and reflect on the sacrifices made by our service members and their families every day.
The program features an in-depth conversation with Diane Lynch-deCombs, Assistant Commissioner of the Health Care Division at the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs. She oversees the state’s eight veterans homes and discusses supporting administrators, workforce challenges in long-term care, attracting younger workers, adapting to evolving veteran health care models like community care and choice options, and ensuring these facilities remain strong and sustainable for the future.
Next, Jon Kelly, Director of Government Affairs at the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, provides an update on the department’s 2026 legislative priorities. Topics include policy bills, bonding requests for veterans homes and cemeteries, ongoing progress in ending veterans homelessness and suicide prevention, and efforts to recognize and provide benefits to Special Guerrilla Unit (SGU) veterans from Laos.
Hosted by Retired Command Sergeant Major Doug Wortham, Minnesota Military Radio is a production of iHeartMedia, the Minnesota National Guard, the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, the Minneapolis VA Health Care System, and Beyond the Yellow Ribbon.
For more information on Minnesota’s veterans homes, visit: https://www.mn.gov/mdva/homes/ To learn about legislative updates and resources, check the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs website: https://www.mn.gov/mdva/
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Going Beyond: Beyond the Yellow Ribbon’s 2025 Impact and 2026 Vision

Going Beyond: Beyond the Yellow Ribbon's 2025 Impact and 2026 Vision

In this special segment of Minnesota Military Radio, host Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Doug Wortham welcomes the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon (BTYR) outreach team for a comprehensive 2025 year-in-review. The discussion covers the program’s statewide impact, key initiatives, the power of community and corporate volunteers, distinctions from the federal Yellow Ribbon program, and exciting goals for 2026.Guests:

Key Highlights from 2025:

  • Helped approximately 76,000 service members, veterans, and families across Minnesota — equivalent to filling U.S. Bank Stadium!
  • Statewide initiatives including Operation Kinship (themed care packages for military families left behind during deployments) and Hero Meals (Thanksgiving/Christmas support, especially vital during challenging times).
  • Reboot success since 2022: Unified community and corporate sides, fostering stronger partnerships and resource sharing.
  • No government funding/red tape — support comes from private donations, volunteers, and companies, enabling quick, flexible aid (e.g., coffee and muffins at Camp Ripley polar plunges, emergency assistance, job connections).
  • New corporate partners joined, including Walser Automotive Group (first automotive group in the program, offering military discounts and potential repair support).
  • Emphasis on volunteers as the “heartbeat” — patriots helping patriots, with opportunities for all ages and commitment levels.

Looking Ahead to 2026:

  • Expanding to over 100 Beyond the Yellow Ribbon companies, including all Minnesota state colleges and universities.
  • Growing volunteer numbers and statewide momentum through more combined initiatives.
  • Continued focus on supporting all branches, families, and filling gaps for those in need — from rural wood delivery to metro job placement.
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ESGR and Support the Troops MN

This week, discover how the Minnesota Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) bridges the gap between military service and civilian workplaces, ensuring Guard and Reserve members keep their jobs while serving our nation. Then, meet the team at Support the Troops MN and learn how they deliver rapid, 24-hour financial aid to Minnesota military heroes and their families facing crisis—paying rent, fixing cars, and restoring hope when it’s needed most. Guests include:

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